Rock and Roll PING! email Weegee to get on/off this list (or grab it yourself to PING the rest)
Posted on 03/05/2005 8:18:38 PM PST by metalmanx2j
KIBBUTZ KINNERET, Israel - Former Korn guitarist Brian "Head" Welch was baptized Saturday in the Jordan River, just weeks after quitting his band, drug habits and rock-and-roll lifestyle for religion.
Welch, a founding member of the multi-platinum band, and about 20 other white-robed Christian pilgrims from a Bakersfield, Calif., church were immersed by their pastor, Ron Vietti.
Welch said the ritual baptism had washed away his anger. "You know when you get angry and it builds up? I felt like hurting someone before, now I feel like hugging people," he said.
Vietti said Welch — who has "Jesus" tattooed across his knuckles and "Matthew 11:28," tattooed prominently across his neck — is already attracting a new group of young people to the message of Christianity.
"In recent weeks people have committed their lives to God because they're so inspired by his story," Vietti said.
Korn announced Welch's resignation last month after 13 years with the band. Welch said he had become increasingly depressed and drug-addicted in recent years, but that religion helped him quit.
He said he plans to release more music without the band.
"My songs are God saying things to me, him talking to people. He's going to use me to heal people and people are going to be drawn to it, just watch, they will be," he said.
Thousands of pilgrims are baptized annually in the Jordan River where, according to Biblical tradition, John the Baptist baptized Jesus.
WOW...
I'm a neutral fan of KoRn and to be honest, I didn't expect that to happen to Brian, and, well...that's really cool
Then again, since he has Christ tattoos all over himself, go figure...that was bound to happen sooner or later
Still can't believe it lol. My hats off to the guy if he's doing what he needs to do to get his life in order.
Rock and Roll PING! email Weegee to get on/off this list (or grab it yourself to PING the rest)
Some people do everything in a big way ;) May his new life continue to bring blessings :)
Well, bless his KoRnY little heart! Glad to hear it!
Awesome!
Pastor Ron Vietti, right, accompanied by other pilgrims, baptizes ex-metal guitarist Brian 'Head' Welch, 34, center, a founding member of the multi-platinum metal band Korn from the United States, at Jordan river's baptismal site near the Kibbutz Kinneret, in northern Israel, Saturday March 5, 2005. Welch was baptized in the Jordan river, just weeks after quitting his band, drug habits and rock-and-roll lifestyle for religion. Thousands of pilgrims are baptized annually in the revered river where according to the Biblical tradition, John the Baptist baptized Jesus. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)
Wow. I would think that would hurt more than having a tattoo done on your arm or rear. I can't imagine having anything tattooed on my neck. Yet, I am strangely attracted by neck tattoos when I see them.
I'm not a Christian, but I have to admit being baptized in the River Jordan is pretty cool. Good luck to this guy. It's a big life change.
I was an angst-ridden college student when Korn's first album came out and it really spoke to me. But after a few years my life grew and my issues in life had more to do with a broken heart from losing my first love and their second album just did not move me. I felt like I'd moved on and they hadn't and strangely I felt bad for the guys in the band. Now I'm married, a Christian and I'm just really happy for him.
I think it rocks too, I too was once angry with the world and I too accepted Christ. Again God shows us He can do incredible things!
booked
So what is holding you back?
Used to be Catholic, converted to Judaism. I found I was no longer able to accept the concepts of the Resurrection and Original Sin. However, unlike libs, I don't have anything against those who do.
I think of so many other celebrity "conversions" (Jane Fonda, for ex.) that don't really "take." No one can know a person's insides, but you wonder if some are real. We'll know soon enough.
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